INFLUENCE OF ZINC-OXIDE AND EUGENOL SEALER ON CONCENTRATION OF ZINC, CALCIUM AND COPPER IN RAT-TISSUES

A zinc oxide and eugenol root canal sealer (Roth 811) and sterile sali ne solution were injected into the dorsal thoracic midline of 70 male Wistar-Furth rats. Every day for the next 7 days, 10 animals were sacr ificed by ether inhalation. The liver, heart, kidneys and brain were r emoved from the animals and analysed for zinc, calcium and copper conc entrations by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, The tissue ar ound the injection site was also surgically removed and prepared for h istological evaluation under a microscope. The injection of Roth 811 s ignificantly affected the concentrations of zinc, calcium and copper i n some of the examined organs, especially on the 4th and 5th day. The inflammatory reaction adjacent to the material was severe during the f irst 3 days while on the 7th day the presence of connective tissue wit h collagen formation was observed.